September 23rd, 2021

The new population bomb

Is the world ready for the big drop?

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The Big Story

The new population bomb

For the first time, humanity is on the verge of long-term decline

The world's population is on the precipice of decline and possible extinction.

Some Southeast Asian countries have set ambitious targets for EV adoption, but they still have a ways to go to convince consumers.

Asia Insight

Slow charge: ASEAN aims to bring lofty EV goals within range

Uneven policies leave drivers wary as COP26 turns spotlight on green transport

For the Philippines' outsourcing industry, the coronavirus pandemic poses as many challenges as it does opportunities. (Source photos by AP and Getty Images)

Business Spotlight

How Philippine call centers are capitalizing on COVID crisis

Country's vital outsourcing industry sees windfall from turmoil in India

Markets

Evergrande turmoil drags down Japan stocks on holiday return

Other Asian markets flat as investors await news on property developer

China has made 6G a priority under its "Made in China 2025" initiative and has given countries financial help in building 5G networks in Africa and the Middle East. (Source photo by Reuters)

Telecommunication

China accounts for 40% of 6G patent applications: survey

Research shows country leads development race despite US sanctions

Huawei founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei says his company should set global standards in 6G technology. (File photo by EPA/Jiji)

Huawei crackdown

Huawei vows to lead in 6G as U.S. and Japan challenge China

Founder urges employees to work to overcome Washington's clampdown

Japan's next prime minister will emerge from the forthcoming LDP leadership race. The candidates at party headquarters on Sept. 17, from left: Taro Kono, Fumio Kushida, Sanae Takaichi and Seiko Noda. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)

Japan election

Japan's ruling LDP to elect its new leader: 5 things to know

Outcome could fundamentally change the ruling party's image

The campaign to lead Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party officially began on Sept. 17 with four candidates: from left, Kishida, Kono, Noda and Takaichi. (Nikkei montage/AP)

Japan election

Japan's LDP leadership race offers rare diversity of views

Candidates float positions from hawkish on China to pro same-sex marriage

U.S. President Joe Biden, in the East Room of the White House, is joined virtually by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to introduce a security partnership on Sept. 15.

Indo-Pacific

U.S.-led alliance to give Australia nuclear submarines to counter China

New AUKUS joins Canberra to U.S., U.K. 'for generations' in Indo-Pacific

Representatives of Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership member countries take part in a news conference in Santiago, Chile, in 2019.

Trade

China officially applies to join CPTPP trade pact

Bid comes day after U.S., U.K. and Australia announce new defense partnership

Chinese President Xi Jinping can show how serious he is about joining the CPTPP through concrete reforms.

The Nikkei View

CPTPP members must carefully judge China's sincerity to join

Beijing should build trust through RCEP and present plan for crucial reforms

North Korea fires a ballistic missile from a train in a central part of the country on Wednesday.

N Korea at crossroads

Tensions rise on Korean Peninsula as both sides test missiles

Analysts say Kim Jong Un wants to strengthen leverage over U.S.

A large screen broadcasts live footage of Xi Jinping delivering a speech in Beijing on June 29: Xi's call for common prosperity causes China's entrepreneurs to lose sleep.

Opinion

China should take steps to reassure its private entrepreneurs

A wealth creation strike would undermine the goal of common prosperity

Afghan family stand outside their tent at a refugee camp in Herat in October 2018; interminable fighting and drought have created millions of refugees.

Opinion

The 'nice' Taliban delusion

Wishful thinking dominates idea that religious movement has softened

In her latest book, "Eat the Buddha," Barbara Demick gives a human face and an intense sense of personal travail to one of Asia's most intractable injustices. (Nikkei montage; Cover image from Random House, author photo by Madeleine Grant)

Arts

Book Review: Lessons in life and death from small-town Tibetans

Barbara Demick's 'Eat the Buddha' highlights personal impact of Chinese rule

Indian students wear Japanese kimono during an event organized by the India-Japan Initiative in Mumbai in April 2005. In order to better understand the world, we need cross-cultural perspectives.

Tea Leaves

The positive side of 'cultural appropriation'

Instead of being condemned, cross-cultural perspectives should be embraced